At the end of another difficult year for many communities, hoping for a brighter, fruitful year in 2023 for all…being resilient, generous of spirit and offering support – beyond the Christmas break.
Happy seasonal holiday from the publishing team at MIning the SEEM
From the SmithMartin Partnership family of social businesses and community projects.
On the 11th October 2022 the Business and Industry pages, of Gov.uk, were updated with revised guidance and forms to help you start your new CIC.
”The revised content, linked to below, contains the following…
It includes links to the appropriate forms, model constitutions (including the memorandum of association and articles of association) and model special resolutions”.
Source: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/community-interest-companies-business-activities
This is an invaluable guide to anyone thinking of starting a CIC to deliver community facing business activity – the whole designed to be for community benefit, rather than personal profit.
SocEntEastMIds offer a range of supportive services and supplies to help you achieve your community business aims. We deliver them at no charge.
See our support offer here: http://www.miningtheseem.org.uk/?page_id=918790
Office image: Christina Morillo, Creative Commons, Pexels.com
By far the most numerous query we get, both for sources of information, or for direct advice and guidance, is around the governance, formation and change relating to Community Interest Companies.
Below are links to the latest forms, examples and formal guidance notes on Gov.uk – if we can help with your changes, formally or informally, do just ask – our services are free. (Sourced: August 2020)
Forming a CIC
Formal Note ‘When applying to form a community interest company (CIC), this form should be submitted to the CIC Regulator alongside the appropriate Companies House forms, memorandum of association, articles of association and payment’.
Transfer of Assets
Key link https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/cic53-application-to-transfer-assets
Formal Note ‘When applying to transfer assets of a community interest company (CIC), consent should be submitted to the CIC Regulator signed by a director of the company, detailing assets, value and actual consideration received’.
The CIC Report
Key link https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/form-cic34-community-interest-company-report
Formal Note ‘There are 2 types of community interest company (CIC) report: detailed and simplified. The majority of CICs complete the simplified report.
The detailed report is reserved for CICs that have more complex financial arrangements. If you complete this type of report, you might need to get professional advice in relation to the financial information sections.
CIC reports are placed on the public register and made available for the public, which provides an opportunity to showcase your CIC’s activities and the benefits provided for the community over the last year. Your report does not have to be especially detailed, but you should identify highlights’.
Converting a Company to a CIC
Key link https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/form-cic37-application-to-convert-a-company-to-a-cic
Formal Note ‘When applying to convert a company to a community interest company (CIC), this form should be submitted to the CIC Regulator alongside the appropriate Companies House forms, memorandum of association, articles of association and payment’.
Change of Objects
Formal Note – The community interest statement
‘…a statement of the steps that have been taken to bring the proposed alteration to the notice of people affected by the company’s activities (signed by each of the company’s directors).
When applying to alter the objects of a community interest company (CIC), this form should be submitted to the CIC Regulator alongside:
Companies House form CC04 – to notify the change of the company’s objects
a signed copy of the special resolution to alter the objects of the company
a copy of the articles of association, as altered’.
See also https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/notify-the-change-of-companys-objects-cc04
Other Useful Links:
Office of the Regulator of Community Interest Companies
The Community Interest Company Blog from Gov.uk
Dissolving a Community Interest Company from Voluntary Action: South Lanarkshire
Update: 25th Mar 2020 – Source: www.businesssupport.gov.uk (Abstract of web page)
Coronavirus
‘The Government is supporting businesses and their employees through a package of measures during this period of unprecedented disruption. This website helps you find the right support, advice and information to help with the impact of coronavirus (Covid-19) on your business. The Government is doing its best to stand behind businesses and is asking businesses to do their best to stand behind their workers.
Coronavirus (COVID-19): If you are looking for information on healthcare advice for employers and support for businesses please click here.’
Gov.uk now has a new Business Support cluster of web pages for the new or developing business. A basket of resources for new or just developing business across…
Although ostensibly for mainstream business development and entrepreneurship, there are still elements of the site which will have useful content for social business or community enterprise, we would argue.
Under the Finance tab are resources on business funding alternatives, dealing with payments and marketing.
The Leadership collection of resources has an interesting range of support links for women in business, both networking and geographically, women in rural business, for example.
if your business is both entrepreneurial and inventive, then the Intellectual Property cluster of links has useful links – from the always interesting British Library Business and IP Centre, to a useful On-line IP Health check.
You can also reach the Business Support Service on the phone, 0300 456 3565 – 9am to 6pm, or use the Chat Now service direct from their web pages.
Ideas image: Tirachard Kumtanom, Creative Commons, Pexels.com
Our Partnership support packages for SocEnt include free web provision, of course, and we are pleased to be developing in-house training and technical expertise for Broadway, as well as donating the core infrastructure to make this sustainability step a success for them.
As part of Broadway Social Enterprise, this new, fully managed service, is designed to respond to the needs of community groups, social enterprise, charity and education needs.
All the money spent by their clients, on blueQuarter web services, goes directly to support their community projects at Broadway SocEnt and Muddy Boots in particular.
See more at http://www.bluequarter.co/
If you would like a Social Enterprise, with a local community at its heart, to help you deliver your next set of web pages, or to revise or modernise something you already have, then blueQuarter would be happy to help.
For an informal discussion to explore your next managed web presence, or just to find out more – contact tim (at) bluequarter.co
Always happy to help.
‘We build in WordPress, but are not anchored by geography for this service, only in our commitment to effect change where we live. Contact us from anywhere!’
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Editorial Notes:
blueQuarter.co is the managed web service of Broadway Social Enterprise Limited, a community enterprise based in Burton on Trent, Staffordshire, UK.
The technical resources for our service have been donated and developed in partnership with Social Enterprise East Midlands and the SmithMartin Partnership in Cambridge UK.
A long time web and communications supplier, our team are developing their in-house expertise and providing their technical infrastructure.
John Birkett, Chair of Broadway SocEnt has said ‘…we are delighted with this new development for our SocEnt. Not only will we be able to sustainably provide professional and technical support to others in our sector, but will be able to transform the training and knowledge uplift of our existing, and new, SocEnt volunteers…’.
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Other web-tech works in progress Broadway have to be completed:
In the Autumn Broadway hope to launch The Book Bobbler, our new resource for children’s books and arts activity. See http://www.bookbobbler.uk/
Finally to complete their SocEnt sustainability plan, they will be completing and launching the Broadway Broccoli service – an organic veg box service – working to deliver healthier diets and good food in their geographical area of distribution. See http://www.broadwaybroccoli.co/
SocEntEast Mids is a proud sponsor the work of Broadway SocEnt…
The SocEntEast Mid Team
To Nottingham, on Friday 15th February 2019 – to attend the launch of a new programme of support for budding social entrepreneurs from OLMEC.
Olmec’s mission is ‘...race equality through economic and social justice‘, and we are delighted, at SocEntEastMids to be able to support the work.
First Steps In Social Enterprise is free and open to existing and aspiring social entrepreneurs from BME (Black and Ethnic Minority) backgrounds – across the Nottingham and Derby area.
‘The programme is designed to support aspiring social entrepreneurs’ ideas through a structured 12-week programme and 9 months online support including access to a moderated FaceBook group with online training.’ Source: OLMEC web pages
You can view, print or download the application form and details below…
You can discover more of the collaborative work of OLMEC here.
Application form as a pdf Application form as a Word/ODT document
About the event:
We convened in the performance space at New Art Exchange on Gregory Boulevard, an ideal setting for an entrepreneurial engagement. Inspirational speakers, good food and coffee and an opportunity to discuss early ideas in an encouraging and non-critical atmosphere.
We enjoyed it immensely. Discover the venue here – http://www.nae.org.uk/
The speakers also gave us an opportunity to discover new resources, pertinent to the equality and inclusion agenda…
‘Languages are for everyone! Enjoy learning two or more languages with our products, games and guides.
Lil’ollo is for young learners from birth onwards, whether you are speaking several languages fluently at home or just getting started. Join our free club to receive free products, guides and more’. (A beautifully designed resource…Ed.) See more here...
‘Created by family history historian, founder of Every Generation Media and Windrush Generation campaigner Patrick Vernon OBE, this storytelling board game is designed to keep the stories and history of the Windrush Generation alive. It helps families, friends and communities share their heritage, family history, identity and culture through the sharing of stories.’ See more here… ( A great resource to keep oral history and family knowledge alive and resonant…Ed.)
A great day, a great community and an important programme for the early social business man or woman. Apply today, we recommend it!
The School for Social Entrepreneurs (SSE) have, this 2019 New Year, published details of new, free learning and development courses for the leaders of the community business sector in the UK.
“Applications are open for the Community Business Trade Up Programme, run by the School for Social Entrepreneurs, in partnership with Power to Change.
This programme helps the leaders of community businesses in England. It focuses on growing income from trading, to improve impact and sustainability. It offers:
There is no cost to you at any point”.
If this learning and funding opportunity is of interest to you and your community business, you can see the guidance and application notes here.
SSE are offering taster sessions across the regions, so that you can explore the opportunity, and you can find a taster session booking form here.
This learning programme runs from June 2019 to March 2020.
The deadline to apply is 1pm on 14th February 2019. 
Explore all the details at SSE here.
This SSE Programme may also be of interest to our readers. You can discover the details of the learning and support on offer from the programme partners here.
You can register your interest, and be notified when this year’s applications (2019/2020) are open on this web page at SSE…
https://www.the-sse.org/lbsep/
View, print or download this SocEnt UK report here…pdf
Source: Hidden Revolution – Size and Scale and Social Enterprise in 2018
A report by Social Enterprise UK
Perhaps no more words are needed…well maybe not!
Taking our sector mainstream?
We are mainstream!
Not overtly dedicated to the Social Marketplace, but a day of free engagement, idea exploration and support-signposting from a variety of key players in the enterprise and tech market encouragement sectors.
Other venues and events are available on the day. See more at…
Birmingham, Cambridge, Norfolk, Northamptonshire and Sheffield.
Book a place and get that inspirational spark for your idea!
Did you know that if you are a Community Interest Company (CIC) you can apply to convert directly to a charitable incorporated organisation (CIO)?
At the end of August the Charity Commission have just published detailed guidance on what you need to achieve this change in your governance.
The guidance offers five key steps to go through in order to change your organisation status.
They are…
Step 1: Prepare a conversion resolution – see more here.
Step 2: Adopt Charity Commission model constitution – see more here.
Step 3: Prepare a resolution adopting the CIO constitution – see more here.
Step 4: Apply for charitable status – see more here.
Also offered is guidance on what to do after you have applied – see more here.
You can find full details of the advice pages here – https://www.gov.uk/guidance/convert-a-community-interest-company-to-a-cio
Note: There is a nicely detailed article by Lucy Johnson-Cameron available on the ‘final word’ on the benefits of a CIO, just in case you are in mid-debate, see more here…
We are always happy to help in formative discussions about governance.